Thanks to everyone who has sent info. on that Italian guy with the numbers.
 By George, I think I have it!!!!
 
I am correct in assuming that the golden numbers (or ratio) goes on to
infinity?  And each larger number  is l.618 larger than the previous
number---assuming it is taken to more decimal places?  If this is true,
then the scanned photo of the nautilus  I saw on the internet
(http://www.drury.edu/education/fred/activities/nautilus/nautilus.html)
which Andy Dickson recommended seems to show that the nautilus  gets so
large, then seems to decrease.  Or could this just be a badly scanned
picture?  And what about leaf structure, which seems to get just so large,
then starts to grow smaller after the widest part?
 
Don't understand how an artist can catch your eye in a picture by employing
the golden ratio, or some of the other examples.    Maybe I'll catch on to
that later.
 
Thanks again to everyone who responded.  Harry Lee suggested I post my
artlcle on the Conch-L................Don't think I'm THAT brave!!!!
 
Carol